This morning I read my GIG devotional (Girlfriend in God). When I was first saved anything with a cross on it was sooo incredible to me....then as life went on and after several years I grew weary of different Christian symbols because of overuse perhaps in the church world. It was becoming a sign of religion to me. This Easter there is a difference in me... not that I did not appreciate what Christ did for me before...but I have grown in the area of sharing Him with others. There is a fresh desire in me to see many people experience His Salvation and Love. I am not finding the right words to fully express my heart ... God has planted something precious in me and it is being watered by different things (some people and His Word and life's experiences)...It's been in me for a long time and I am beginning to see a little more clearly what He has called me to. I want a glimpse of His plan for me that I might grab hold of it and make it richly part of who I am. April 6, 2009 A Simple Wooden Cross Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV).
Friend to Friend The sea breeze blew the tangles from my knotted nerves as a choir of various birds sang revelry to greet the day. Myrtle bushes, bursting with fuchsia blossoms added splashes of color to the sandy landscape. Jumping fish performed acrobatic feats for an audience of One.
Perhaps my favorite place in the entire world is the beach. God seems to speak to me through each intricately carved sea shell, soaring gull, and majestic wave. On this particular spring morning, I had gotten up before the others stirred from their slumber, to have a cup of coffee with the Lord. I sat rocking on the cottage porch surrounded by coastal beauty and watching the water of the lazy canal meander by. As I talked to God and thanked Him for all the splendor of His creation, He urged me to look closely at a reflection in the water. My eyes followed the wavy reflection to the side of the canal where there stood two pieces of weathered wood, forming a simple cross. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this was actually one end of an old forgotten clothesline, but to me it was much more.
I knew at that moment the beams were there just for me. The owner may have viewed them as merely part of a clothesline in disrepair but this cross was God's reminder to me that in all the majesty of His creation, the cross of two wooden beams is still the most majestic of all. Two simple beams display to the entire world for all time the surpassing greatness of His love, the incalculable riches of His grace, and the unfathomable depth of His mercy to all who will believe. More beautiful than any blooming flower, more melodious than any song of my feathered friends, more powerful than the surf of the sea -- the cross.
Let's Pray Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the cross. Through the work of Jesus on those two simple beams of wood, You have given me eternal life. I pray I will never forget Jesus' incredible sacrifice. Yes, the world may think the cross is foolish, but the message of the cross is the power of God.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now It's Your Turn What does the cross mean to you?
How would you explain that to someone who doesn't know Christ?
Why is the cross called the message of the power of God?
Have you, like me in this story, ever felt that God placed something right before you as a special gift or reminder of His presence?
More from the Girlfriends Did you know that God is speaking all around you and in your life? Would you like to learn more about how to hear His voice? If so, you might enjoy Sharon's book, Becoming a Woman who Listens to God. And for more inspirational stories to spiritually jump start your day, see Extraordinary Moments with God, Sharon's beautiful daily devotional.
Seeking God? Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in GodP.O. Box 725Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.comhttp://www.girlfriendsingod.com/
Today's Truth "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV).
Friend to Friend The sea breeze blew the tangles from my knotted nerves as a choir of various birds sang revelry to greet the day. Myrtle bushes, bursting with fuchsia blossoms added splashes of color to the sandy landscape. Jumping fish performed acrobatic feats for an audience of One.
Perhaps my favorite place in the entire world is the beach. God seems to speak to me through each intricately carved sea shell, soaring gull, and majestic wave. On this particular spring morning, I had gotten up before the others stirred from their slumber, to have a cup of coffee with the Lord. I sat rocking on the cottage porch surrounded by coastal beauty and watching the water of the lazy canal meander by. As I talked to God and thanked Him for all the splendor of His creation, He urged me to look closely at a reflection in the water. My eyes followed the wavy reflection to the side of the canal where there stood two pieces of weathered wood, forming a simple cross. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this was actually one end of an old forgotten clothesline, but to me it was much more.
I knew at that moment the beams were there just for me. The owner may have viewed them as merely part of a clothesline in disrepair but this cross was God's reminder to me that in all the majesty of His creation, the cross of two wooden beams is still the most majestic of all. Two simple beams display to the entire world for all time the surpassing greatness of His love, the incalculable riches of His grace, and the unfathomable depth of His mercy to all who will believe. More beautiful than any blooming flower, more melodious than any song of my feathered friends, more powerful than the surf of the sea -- the cross.
Let's Pray Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the cross. Through the work of Jesus on those two simple beams of wood, You have given me eternal life. I pray I will never forget Jesus' incredible sacrifice. Yes, the world may think the cross is foolish, but the message of the cross is the power of God.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now It's Your Turn What does the cross mean to you?
How would you explain that to someone who doesn't know Christ?
Why is the cross called the message of the power of God?
Have you, like me in this story, ever felt that God placed something right before you as a special gift or reminder of His presence?
More from the Girlfriends Did you know that God is speaking all around you and in your life? Would you like to learn more about how to hear His voice? If so, you might enjoy Sharon's book, Becoming a Woman who Listens to God. And for more inspirational stories to spiritually jump start your day, see Extraordinary Moments with God, Sharon's beautiful daily devotional.
Seeking God? Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in GodP.O. Box 725Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.comhttp://www.girlfriendsingod.com/
